"I will return to my village IF I have a job to support my family"

I was asked to meet with a group of university students from the Bulape village and surrounding area, our base of operations.  About 12 students were gathered to discuss their needs.  The meeting was held on the campus of the University of Kinshasa. 

After a few minutes of introductions, I gave a general overview of what Congo Helping Hands was about and what we were doing in Bulape.  Primarily, we have supported the health care and the secondary education systems.  In health care, we have bought mosquito nets, provided health care for the poor, furnished medical equipment and supplies, and provided scholarships for medical training.  In secondary education, we have provided scholarships to poor students, provided school books, and renovated school classrooms.

Next, it was the students turn to express their needs.  They needed help with their current school expenses.  Then they fired the arrow that pierced the heart of the matter.  One of the student, Daniel, said I will return to my village if I have a job to support my family.  At that point, I realized the real importance of economic development.  Adequate health care and educational opportunities was not enough to stop the migration of people from rural areas to urban areas.

I thought about the plight of many cities here in the states.  Our grown children leaving these cities even with good health system and education opportunities.  Why?  They do not have jobs to support their families.  I left my hometown for college and never returned after graduation.  So, I personally understand what Daniel was saying.

Micro-economic development was always a part of our agenda but we had done little to address it.  After the meeting, I got serious about how to end extreme poverty.  I started the search for information.  Most of the sources led me to work of Muhammad Yunus and the Grameen Bank.

After reading scores of articles and his two books, I was convinced that the answer to micro-economic development was the Grameen micro loan system and procedures.

We probably have lost Daniel to the city but we hope to stop the flood in the future.